Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis, commonly known as fatty liver, is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver cells. This affects the liver, an important organ responsible for filtering toxins, producing bile, and managing metabolism. When fat builds up, the liver can become enlarged and may not work as well as it should. Over time, this can lead to inflammation and damage, potentially causing more serious liver problems. People with this condition often have no symptoms at first, but it can affect overall health by increasing the risk of liver disease and other complications. Common causes include obesity, excessive alcohol use, and certain metabolic disorders. Managing the underlying causes is important to prevent progression.

Hepatic steatosis is defined as the abnormal accumulation of triglycerides within hepatocytes exceeding 5% of liver weight. It results primarily from an imbalance between lipid acquisition (increased free fatty acid influx or de novo lipogenesis) and lipid disposal (oxidation and export as very low-density lipoproteins). The most common etiologies include alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the latter often associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and obesity. This condition is clinically significant because it can progress to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Histologically, it is characterized by macrovesicular fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Early stages are often asymptomatic, but advanced disease can cause liver dysfunction and portal hypertension.